Question NW2503 to the Minister of Basic Education
19 September 2017 - NW2503
Boshoff, Ms SH to ask the Minister of Basic Education
Whether teachers who are found guilty of (a) sexual and/or (b) physical abuse of learners are automatically (i) placed on the Child Protection Register and/or (ii) dismissed from their position; if not, in each case, why not; if so, what are the relevant details in each case?
Reply:
(a) (i)In csaes of teachers found guilty of sexual abuse follwing a disciplinary hearing, these teachers are automatically placed on the Child Protection Register by Provincial Departments of Education.
(ii)Any teacher found guilty of sexual abuse is dismissed from their post.
(b) (i)In the case of physical abuse of learners, the teacher is not automatically placed on the Child Protection Register. Only if the nature of the abuse is a criminal offence, will the teacher be placed on the Child Protection Register.
(ii) Physical abuse is a form of corporal punishment and is a dismissable offence.